één
/eːn/
The English word 'one' is translated to Dutch as één. Wiktionary also lists een.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| één | /eːn/ |
| een | /ən/ /eːn/ |
één is used as the cardinal number one, or when referring to the digit or figure itself. It can also be used to refer to a single, unspecified thing.
Which one should you use?
The form een without an accent serves as the indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an', while één specifically denotes the number one. You should use één when you want to emphasize the quantity, such as expressing 'only one' or 'exactly one'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using één as a number to emphasize quantity, it is frequently used in conjunction with the particle er, such as in the phrase Ik heb er één.
How do you pronounce it?
/eːn/
Did you know?
- When counting down to launch something, Dutch speakers say één, twee, drie (one, two, three) but for a start signal, they often use één, twee, drie, af!, where af means 'off' or 'go'.
- In Dutch, saying één keer literally means 'one time', but it is the standard way to say 'once', whereas English uses a distinct word for the frequency.
- The Dutch word één is a cognate of the English word 'one' and the German word 'ein', all descending from the Proto-Germanic word *ainaz.
Examples in context
- Ik heb er een!I got one!This sentence shows the use of een.Tatoeba #8640657 by Micsmithel, translation #1690026 by Spamster
- Wil je er een?Want one?Tatoeba #8744473 by Micsmithel, translation #2485150 by Hybrid
- Ik zag er een.I saw one.Tatoeba #12982676 by MarijnKp, translation #3168241 by CK
- Ik heb één penI have one pen
- Kunt u mij een exemplaar geven?Can you give me one copy?
- Ik zoek één enkele stoelI'm looking for one single chair
- Ik heb eentje gevondenI found one
- Ik koop één stuk taartI'll buy one piece of cake
- Mag ik een ding vragen?Can I ask you something?
- Ik heb één boek nodig.I need one book.
- Mag ik één glas water, alstublieft?Can I have one glass of water, please?
- Ik wil één kaartje kopen.I want to buy one ticket.
- Heb je één pen die ik kan lenen?Do you have one pen I can borrow?
- 1039 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Emma are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- NoahIk wil graag één cola.I would like one cola, please.
- EmmaAlleen één? Je mag er twee hebben.Only one? You may have two.
- NoahNee, één is genoeg voor mij.No, one is enough for me.
- EmmaOké, ik bestel één cola voor Noah.Okay, I will order one cola for Noah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries één, een, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries een, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
